Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-24
Gales aud Skftfhes.
GRAZIElLA THE MODEL.
from "Misfits and Remnants" by kind
nermisaiOn of Ticknor Co

FROM "MlSutS anu htuudutSs W Aiuu
permission of Ticknor Co.
One day last summer as Bartholdi and
l were going to the studio OF rather &C.
centric friend OF ours, known to the art
world as Frederic Holt was suddenly
startled BY these words from my com
panion:
"Where on earth, old fellow. do you
rake up subjects for your little stories?"
..Ah," exclaimed, lido you find my
little stories so trivial?"
l confess was just trifle nettled by
the tone OF the question, which was not
complimentary, but on the contrary
seemed to imply slight feeling of scorn
for my brain labors past, present and
future. was hurt; but having no ex-
traordinary opinion of my friends litera.
nv Judgment stifled my anger and replied
in a calm unruffied voice:
To-day, my good friend, you may per-
haps see the kind OF place wherein | not
unfrequently find subjects for my little
stories,' as you are pleased to call Thorn.
At the same time,' continued. with tnat
calm irony for which | am noted. ''you
must keep your eyes open; for there are
certain people who are unable to see be-
yond their own noses. and who value
literary work by its bulk rather than by
its quality. Altar of roses. my friend, is
offensive to the coarse senses OF certain
people, and | have no doubt there are
men living in this world who would ask
in their ignorance where Shakespeare
picked up the materials tor his little story
of Hamlet"
AS conclude my bitterly sarcastic
speech we found ourselves in sort OF
court yard built in the Italian style of no
particular era, at the end of which was
door cut in the wall of an old house.
Guarding this door were two lions in an
attitude suggesting that they intended to
hurl themselves against the bars OF their
cage. Their eyes we're flashing. their
mouths open and their tongues protruding
but as these terrible beasts were only in
the form of rough design sketched on
the wall, we boldly approached the door
and passed it with no further mishap than
slight soiling of our coats with white
wash and crumbling plaster:
For several days past Frederic Holt had
been almost fixture in his studio. work
ing with tremendous energy on picture
in which he intended to display all his
technique, and at the same time reveal his
knowledge of drawing and of color. His
great desire was at the same time to
arouse the interest of a particular patron
well known to the community of artists !;
but on account of some circumstances
only known to himself, Frederic was COM
PEELED to put the finishing touches to his
already over elaborated picture, with the
sickening conviction that. alter all. it
must 60 to the general Academy exhibit
tion and there be subjected to the cold
and unsympathetic criticisms of a hard
hearted public.
Our friend had studied tor many years
in Europe, and had not only had great
reputation, but also produced few good
pictures-which is paradox l do not care
to explain. As soon as twas known that
an interesting subject was under treatment
on his easel friends and the public gen
orally were attracted to his studio.
According to his custom, the artist had
chosen an historical subject; and fondly
believing that his talents would be judged
from the size of his picture. he had filled
an immense canvas with representation
of "Nero's Dream" This represented a
bare. legged man. confined in the LAGOON
folds of a streaming toga, standing on the
ruins of Parthenonic building and wild
lv shivering at the sight of multitude OF
phantoms that were scantily dressed in
sheets and ornamented with clanking iron
chains.
We found our friend moving nervously
about among his visitors. constantly ap.
preaching his picture to turn it little
to the right or left, arranging the curtains
to obtain the best possible light, and al
the same time watching the faces of his
guests as if he hoped to read the secrets
of their very souls.
Superb, grand. gigantic, massive, bold
delicate, fine. delightful. Michelangeles.
que" were the adJectves freely banded
about.
do you not find reliet in the picture, a
general mastery of color ard go-d per.
spectiveP" Frederic modestly inquired
while he enjoyed to the full the praises Of
his indulgent brother artists.
"Magnificent perfect" they exclaimed
and they turned their backs to the picture
to enjoy the more refreshing sight of a
keg OF beer that was in the corner of the
studio. and served to modify the custom
ary acidity of the critical throat and voice
In the din of voices no one in the room
seemed to hear several discreet taps on the
door; as there was no response to them
the pOrtiere that screened the entrance wa.
quietly raised, and the figure of young
girl appeared.
"Ah that's Graziella !" exclaimed sew
eral OF the men.
Come in! said Frederick, advancing
towards her and holding out his hand.
IL fear | shall disturb you" she said
with foreign but agreeable accent. "Ex
cuse me; | will come back another day.
Frederic, who would willing have de
tanned the girl, saw her fit from the room
with the grace and shyness of chamois
There goes an exception to her sex il
general and her nation in particular" sale
the artist with half sigh.
"Ah, how charitable how gallant how
Interestingly" exclaimed one of the young
men present. ''But should like to teach
your exception good manners" he added
rushing to the window and making panto
mimic signs to the retreating Grazella
who turned her back on him, evidently
vexed tor having INDUCED in RETROSPECT
tive glance.
The unabashed young fellow approach
ed the artist. and digging him in the ribs
said,-
"You are a lucky dog, Holt We under
stand, you know. Artist and model Lake
of Como and Ovidv'
The turn the conversation had taker
! Al